Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad began in 1852 and existed until 1869, when it was absorbed by Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad
. The line ran from Charlotte, North Carolina
, to Columbia, South Carolina
, and was the first carrier to serve Mecklenburg County
, North Carolina
.
Financed by Charlotte-area businessmen, the building of the Charlotte and South Carolina has been called the single most important event in Charlotte's economic history. Construction began on the line in 1847. According to a 2001 article in the Rock Hill Herald, "The driving forces were the White and Springs families, prominent planters who realized a need for a better way to move the area's commerce."
The line served as a vital railroad connection during the Civil War
, and was damaged in the waning days of the conflict by General William T. Sherman's troops as they ravaged South Carolina
.
The line later played a critical part in the creation of Charlotte’s textile industry boom of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
In addition, the cities of Rock Hill, South Carolina
, Fort Mill, South Carolina
, and Pineville, North Carolina
, were created as depots of the Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad in its early days.
Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad
The Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad was formed in 1869 with the merger of the Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad and the Columbia and Augusta Railroad.The combined line stretched 191 miles between Augusta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina...
. The line ran from Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, to Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
, and was the first carrier to serve Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County is the name of two counties in the United States:* Mecklenburg County, North Carolina* Mecklenburg County, Virginia...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
Financed by Charlotte-area businessmen, the building of the Charlotte and South Carolina has been called the single most important event in Charlotte's economic history. Construction began on the line in 1847. According to a 2001 article in the Rock Hill Herald, "The driving forces were the White and Springs families, prominent planters who realized a need for a better way to move the area's commerce."
The line served as a vital railroad connection during the Civil War
Civil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
, and was damaged in the waning days of the conflict by General William T. Sherman's troops as they ravaged South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
.
The line later played a critical part in the creation of Charlotte’s textile industry boom of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
In addition, the cities of Rock Hill, South Carolina
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Rock Hill is the largest city in York County, South Carolina and the fourth-largest city in the state. It is also the third-largest city of the Charlotte metropolitan area, behind Charlotte and Concord, North Carolina. The population was 71,459 as of . Rock Hill has undergone rapid growth between...
, Fort Mill, South Carolina
Fort Mill, South Carolina
Fort Mill is a fast-growing suburban town in both York and Lancaster counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina, and a suburb of the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Rock Hill...
, and Pineville, North Carolina
Pineville, North Carolina
Pineville is a suburban town in the southernmost portion of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina situated in the Waxhaws district between Charlotte, North Carolina and Rock Hill, South Carolina....
, were created as depots of the Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad in its early days.